COLUMBIANA CO. 2 women sue doctor, employer

By NORMAN LEIGH VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU LISBON -- Two women who say they were sexually molested by their physician are suing him. Christy Mott of 312 Bell Blvd., Weirton, W.Va., and JaimeRodgers of 1711 Lincoln Ave., Wellsville, filed the lawsuit earlier this week in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court seeking an unspecified amount in damages. It names as defendant Dr. Anil Bajaj of Woodmere, Ohio. The lawsuit claims that July 27, 2001, the women made separate visits to Dr. Bajaj for medical care while he was practicing in the East Liverpool area. During those examinations, Dr. Bajaj inappropriately touched and fondled them, actions that violate Ohio law, the lawsuit alleges. Dr. Bajaj is charged with sexual battery in criminal court in the allegations involving Rodgers. He also is charged in criminal court with gross sexual imposition in the allegations involving Mott. He has pleaded innocent to both charges. A hearing on the criminal offenses was set for later today in common pleas court. Dr. Bajaj faces a maximum five-year sentence on the sexual battery charge, a third-degree felony. He faces a maximum 18-month jail sentence on the gross sexual imposition charge. Dr. Bajaj, 39, who lives in the Cleveland area, was unavailable Thursday to comment on the civil lawsuit. Also named as a defendant in the civil case is Robert W. Beatty, M.D. Inc., doing business at 15613 Pineview Drive, East Liverpool. The lawsuit claims that Dr. Bajaj worked for Beatty Inc. at the time Mott and Rodgers were examined. The medical business was negligent, in part, for failing to properly supervise its medical staff, the lawsuit claims. Dr. Beatty declined to comment Thursday on the lawsuit. Currently, Dr. Bajaj is not working as a physician, he has told the court.